NCERT Class 13 Sanskrit Sanskrit Sahitya parichay: Chapter 7 — गद्यकाव्य एवं चम्पूकाव्य
This chapter, 'गद्यकाव्य एवं चम्पूकाव्य' (Gadyakavya and Champukavya) from NCERT Class 13 Sanskrit Sahitya Parichay, explores the history and characteristics of Sanskrit prose poetry. It traces the origins of Sanskrit prose to Brahmanical texts and Upanishads, noting the evolution of style through ancient inscriptions like the Girnar inscription of Rudradaman and Harisena's Samudragupta Prashasti. The chapter discusses the reasons for the lesser composition of prose poetry compared to verse, citing the complexity of prose in achieving rhythm and musicality. It highlights key prose writers like Dandin, Subandhu, and Banabhatta, focusing on Dandin's 'Dashakumaracharita' and Subandhu's 'Vasavadatta'. The text analyzes their narrative techniques, descriptive prowess, and the social milieu depicted in their works, emphasizing Dandin's simple yet elegant prose and Subandhu's imaginative storytelling. This chapter provides a foundational understanding of these significant genres in Sanskrit literature for Class 13 students.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 13 |
| Subject | Sanskrit |
| Book | Sanskrit Sahitya parichay |
| Chapter | Chapter 7 — संस्कृत साहित्य का इतिहास |
| Language | Sanskrit |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 4 minutes |
| Word count | 707 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the historical development of Sanskrit prose poetry.
- Identify key prose writers like Dandin, Subandhu, and Banabhatta.
- Analyze the characteristics and literary significance of Gadyakavya and Champukavya.
- Appreciate the narrative techniques and descriptive styles of ancient Sanskrit prose works.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| गद्यकाव्य | Prose poetry |
| चम्पूकाव्य | A mixed genre of prose and verse |
| ब्राह्मण-ग्रन्थ | Brahmanical texts |
| उपनिषद् | Upanishads |
| शिलालेख | Inscriptions |
| प्रशस्ति | Eulogy or panegyric |
| कथा | Tale or story |
| आख्यायिका | Romance or historical tale |
| दशकुमारचरित | A famous prose work by Dandin |
| वासवदत्ता | A famous prose work by Subandhu |
| पदलालित्यम् | Elegance of diction/style |
| वर्णन-कौशल | Skill in description |
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Practice questions
- संस्कृत गद्य का आरम्भ किन ग्रन्थों में देखा जा सकता है? Answer: संस्कृत गद्य का आरम्भ ब्राह्मण-ग्रन्थों और उपनिषदों में देखा जा सकता है।
- साहित्यिक गद्य के दो महत्त्वपूर्ण उदाहरण कौन से हैं? Answer: रुद्रदामन् का गिरिनार शिलालेख और हरिषेण रचित समुद्रगुप्त-प्रशस्ति साहित्यिक गद्य के महत्त्वपूर्ण उदाहरण हैं।
- गद्य काव्य के मुख्य भेद कौन से हैं? Answer: गद्य काव्य के मुख्य भेद कथा और आख्यायिका हैं।
- दण्डी के किस ग्रन्थ का उल्लेख पाठ में किया गया है? Answer: पाठ में दण्डी के दशकुमारचरित का उल्लेख किया गया है।
- सुबन्धु की प्रसिद्ध गद्य रचना कौन सी है? Answer: सुबन्धु की प्रसिद्ध गद्य रचना वासवदत्ता है।
Practice MCQs
Q1. संस्कृत गद्य का आरम्भ किन ग्रन्थों में पाया जाता है?
Explanation: The text explicitly states that the beginning of Sanskrit prose can be seen in Brahmanical texts and Upanishads.
Q2. निम्नलिखित में से कौन सा साहित्यिक गद्य का श्रेष्ठ उदाहरण है?
Explanation: The chapter identifies Rudradaman's Girnar inscription and Harisena's Samudragupta Prashasti as important examples of literary prose.
Q3. गद्य रचना कम होने का एक कारण क्या बताया गया है?
Explanation: The text mentions that it is difficult to generate rhythm and musicality in prose compared to verse, which led to fewer prose compositions.
Q4. दण्डी का समय अधिकांश विद्वान् क्या मानते हैं?
Explanation: Most scholars consider Dandin to belong to the sixth century CE, according to the provided text.
Q5. सुबन्धु की उत्कृष्ट गद्य रचना कौन सी है?
Explanation: The chapter states that Vasavadatta is Subandhu's excellent prose composition.
Q6. दण्डी की सबसे बड़ी विशेषता क्या बताई गई है?
Explanation: Dandin's greatest specialty is described as writing prose with simple, practical, yet elegant words, avoiding long compounds and harsh sounds.
Frequently asked questions
What are the earliest texts where Sanskrit prose can be found?
Sanskrit prose can be found in Brahmanical texts and Upanishads.
Which inscriptions are mentioned as important examples of literary prose?
The Girnar inscription of Rudradaman and Harisena's Samudragupta Prashasti are mentioned as important examples.
What are the two main types of prose poetry (Gadyakavya)?
The two main types are Katha and Akhyayika.
Who are the three significant prose writers mentioned from the 6th-7th century CE?
The three significant writers mentioned are Dandin, Subandhu, and Banabhatta.
What is the main plot of Dandin's Dashakumaracharita?
It narrates the stories of eight princes, with the preceding and succeeding parts completing the tales of ten princes.
What is a key characteristic of Dandin's prose style?
Dandin's prose is characterized by simplicity, practicality, and elegance, avoiding long compounds and harsh sounds.
What is Subandhu's famous prose work and its plot?
Subandhu's famous work is Vasavadatta, which tells the story of Prince Kandarpaketu searching for his beloved Vasavadatta, whom he met in a dream.
What did Subandhu aim for in his writing?
Subandhu aimed to create wonder through his skill in description and imagination, rather than just narrating an interesting story.
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NCERT Class 13 Sanskrit — Sanskrit Sahitya parichay — Chapter 7 — संस्कृत साहित्य का इतिहास. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 10 Aug 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.